Inner tube



Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,754;

LVVENTOR I DONAL C.MCROBERTS H15 A TTORNE Y Patented Jan. 3 4). 1923.

UNETED STATES earner @EFHQE.

DONAL C. IiIoBOBERTS, 0F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO G & J TIRE COIv'.[Il?irl\T5Z, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

INNER TUBE.

Application filed February 8, 1922. Serial No. 534,882.

1 '0 all echo/2t it may concern: I

. Be it known that I, DONAL C. MoRoBnR s, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Indianapolis, county of Marion, State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inner Tubes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact de scription.

This invention relates to inner tubes and more particularly valve bases for reinforcing openings through which the valve stems project.

Inner tubes for pneumatic tires are usually made with a fabric reinforcement where the valve stem passes through its inner wall in order to permit the valve stem to be durably and hermetically clamped in position. And the commercial type of valve stem usually has an integral and enlarged head on its inner end, i. e., toe end which is located on the inside of the tube. r

Frequently, a retailer or branch store is required to substitute one type of valve stem for another in the finished tube. And to meet the request, it has been attempted to remove the valve stem and substitute the type needed by customer. Square woven fabric has heretofore been employed to make the reinforcement and frequently, it has been split, thus impairing its serviceability, or rendering the tube wholly worthless.

The present invention aims to provide a type of valve base that may be distended to permit introduction and removal of the valve stem without damaging the reinforcement around the hole in the inner tube, or ruining the tube.

Briefly described, and without unnecessary limiting intention. the invent-ion consists in utilizing a plurality of layers of cords those in one layer crossing those in the other at an angle such that the inner tube into which the (JOTfS are incorporated is substantially inextensible in one direction but sufficiently extensible in a direction at right angles to the first-mentioned direction to permit introducing or removing the enlarged heads of valve stems. i

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying, drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a corded valve base,

2 is aperspective of a short length of inner tube showing a valve stem opening distended with suitable tongs, ready for the introduction of a valve stem, and I Fig. 3 is a perspective of a conventional type of valve.

Accordingto my invention, the valve base is built up of preferably centrally apertured sections of vulcanizable rubber composition 1 and 2, and superimposed plies -of rubberized fabric 3 and 4, these being assembled and incorporated into the inner tube while in a green state and subsequently cured in one piece therewith, all in a manner wellknown to the trade. These reinforcing valve patches or bases are preferablymade in an elliptical form and their layers or plies are usually successively reduced in size to better their union with the walls of the inner tube'during the vulcanizing operation. And usually the valve bases are incorporated in the tubes with their greatest length disposed longitudinally thereof. I

According to my invention, instead of employing square woven fabric, as heretofore, for making the plies 3 and d, I use layers of cords, the individual cords 5 and 6 being arranged at any suitable inclination to the length of the valve base, 15 having been found in general most suitable but obviously the inclination of the crossed cords may be varied and the distensibility augmented or decreased. These cords are preferably .cut

from a rubberized sheet of stock for economy in manufacture but the plies or layers 3 and 4 of cords may be built up in any convenient manner.

The inner tube in which the valve base has been reinforced with cords crossing at a more or less acute angle to the length of the va ve base is substantially inextensible in one direction, but not in another. at rght angles thereto. With suitable implements, such as the tongs 7 which are provided with hooked extremities 8, thevalve stem opening 9 may be readily distended, as shown in 2. for the introduction or removal of. the enlargement head 10, commonly formed in one piece at the end of a thread ed valve stem ll. The tongs may advantageously have a bail or loop 12 for holding the opening distended and allowing the adjuster free use of both hands. With the inner tube of the present invention, whose valve stem opening has been reinforced with a base extensible in one direction, a retailer may accommodate his customers when called upon by removing one valve stem and sub stituting another of diffe ent type. the eu-- larged heads ill being pas r through the distended valve stem opening with more or less facility, but without rupturing the valve base and destroying or impairing its function. ()r, the tubes may be shipped separate from their valves which may be mounted as required by the consumer.

It will be understood that the angle of formed between two crossing cords, one in one ply or layer and the other in a second ply or layer, may be varied. It is not intended to limit the invent-ion to any particular angle, the principle being to provide sufficient distensibility in one direction for passing the enlarged heads of valve stems. Instead of cords, any suitable textile ele ment may also be employed. And reference is therefore made to the accompanying claims for an understanding of the scope of the invention. v

Having thus described my invention. what I claim and desire to protect by Let ters Patent is:

1. An inner tube for pneumatic tire casings provided with a valve stem opening" reinforced with a distensible valve base hav ing one or more continuous plies 0t con-- reinforced with a valve base having a p1urality of continuous plies 01 contiguous cords, the cords in one layer crossing the cords in a contiguous layer at an acute angle.

3. An inner tube for pneumatic tire casings provided with a valve stem opening reinforced with a valve base having continuous layers of contiguous cords, the cords in one layer being arranged at an acute angle to the inner periphery of the tube, and the cords in another layer being oppositely inclined to the inner periphery of the tube.

4:. An inner tube for pneumatic tire casings provided with a valve stem opening reinforced with a valve base having at least two continuous layers of contiguous cords, the cords in one layer crossing those in another at an angle of substantially 30.

5. An inner tube for pneumatic tire cas ings provided with an opening for a valve stem reinforced by a valve base having angularly disposed contiguous textile elements, said opening being materially more distensible in one direction than in another direction at right angles thereto and immediately and completely surrounded by the textile elements.

Signed at Indianapolis, county of Marion, State of Indiana, this 3 day of Feb, 1922.

DONAL C. MGROBERTS. 

